The Pagan King: The Battle of Death (2018) User Reviews

7 is a little high for this one, but I give it a 7 because it reaches higher than expected.

[keelhaul-80856 · 7/10 · 2 March 2019]

I thought this might be a really terrible film, as I had never heard of it, and most lesser-known sword and sandal movies are usually cheesy and poorly produced. I usually give them a chance anyway, though, and this one actually had me engaged and impressed for most of the nearly 2 hour run time. It is different in showing Baltic nations, and I had never seen much about Latvia and that region, especially during the Crusader period. I hoped it would be similar to "Arn", and in many ways, it delivers.

The production value and film quality are great. There are striking visuals and great combat scenes for something no one has heard of. The protagonist is ok, but could have been slightly miscast; however, he pulls this off decently. The other characters are pretty good, even if the script and motivations are a bit simplistic. The focal point on the ring becomes a bit comical at time, as if this is a high school LOTR production, and there could have been more character development, explanations for why people do things, and bigger scenes-- but I feel this is mostly due to budget constraints.

This one is definitely worth a watch, and it had me interested throughout most of the movie, which is more than I can say for many blockbuster A-list movies released lately. I will have to research more on the history of all this, as I am a history buff, but know little of this region in that period.

Give it a try...if the filmmakers had more time and a bigger budget, I feel they could have made a 8 or 9 rating film.

OK movie, but 10 years late.

[Sergei_Maruk · 6/10 · 21 February 2018]

I like the idea to make a movie about baltic tribes during crusades. There are a lot of interesting traditions and events to explore.

I can feel that The Pagan King wants to be a movie that will introduce the world with Baltic culture and land of Semigallia. However, they put too much accent on showing traditions instead of focusing on characters or plot. The best example is wedding scene. This scene gives us 0 new information about characters. They love each other- we already know it, but what else? We learned how pagan weddings looked like. Well... ok.

Characters are living stereotypes. Bad guy wants to rule this land just because he's bad. Good guys doesn't want to allow him, because he's good. First half of the movie tries to rush all the action without actually introducing us to the characters and as a result there is lack of connection between character and viewer.

Plausibility. I can't believe in this world and actions. Movie budget wasn't great and this fact affected overall movie quality. There are few locations: village, swamp, castle and few more. Village, which is one of the most important locations looks really small and artificial as well as crusader ship- it simply cannot transport so many crusaders.

Visual part of the movie is great. Camera angles and views are well chosen and gives me a feeling of high quality work, especially during fighting scenes. Fight on the sand beach is amazing. Sand and blood is an amazing combination, wish there would be more of that. There are a lot of dynamics and fighting scenes feels natural.... except last one. Fight scene in the swamp with fog and smoke looks unrealistic. Smoke takes over battleground too fast and it feels empty. Film editing makes it even worse, when they show same action with rolling fireballs from different angles all over again during battle.

Overall, The Pagan King gives me feeling of a good movie which struggles because of low budget and poor script. I would recommend to watch this movie if you are interested in old traditions and cultures, otherwise - you can skip it, won't miss anything.

Way better than expected....

[kenbo-63833 · 7/10 · 29 October 2018]

Not just a simple low budget sword movie...very well done. Great photography... The actor who played the villian (Max) gave him very sinister, sneering personality....I felt a lot of animosity toward him right from the start. He played the lying , backstabbing part very well. Rest of cast did great job too.

The Ring Cycle

[lavatch · 6/10 · 3 November 2018]

Semigallia is a historical region in the area of modern Latvia and Lithuania. The so-called Ring of Namejs is a symbol of Latvian independence, friendship, honesty, bravery, and personal freedom. "The Pagan King" (Nameja gredzens) draws upon the legend of the ring for a violent action film, yet fails to closely place the story in its historical context.

The era depicted is linked to the high point of the order of the Teutonic Knights, a group of warrior-monks that began in the Crusades in the Middle East and eventually settled in northern Europe in the Baltic region in which the film is set in the thirteenth century. But no attempt is made to depict how the Catholic knights were fighting for Latin Christendom at a time when Eastern Orthodoxy was infusing Eastern Europe. Rather, the focus is on Max, the illegitimate son of a pope, who wishes to conquer a pagan culture in Semigallia for reasons of personal greed and power.

Standing in the way of Max is the hero Namejs and his beloved queen Lauga. Along with a brave band of Semigallian warriors, they stand up to Max in the name of freedom and for the preservation of their homeland.

Early in the film, Namejs recognizes the strange conduct of the papal ambassador Max, who is making illogical alliances with the local pagans and does not seem interested in missionary work of spreading Christianity. The story turns into a melodramatic action film of good (the Semigallians) versus evil (the nefarious Max).

The film was handsomely photographed with great scenery of the forests, lakes, and swamps of Northern Europe. But this was primarily an action picture with a series of violent battle sequences. There was an effort to develop the mythical significance of the ring which invests not only power, but freedom and the responsibility of the individual, for discovering one's own path in life. While energetically and enthusiastically performed by a competent acting company, the film never rose above the level of a gritty, medieval action flic.

the ring

[Kirpianuscus · 26 July 2023]

A fair historical film, not exactly exceptional but, in nice doses, offering a good message, love, patriotism, war, trahison, a king, then a hero from ordinary people , good crafted tension and not bad acting.

It represents one of examples of affirmation of legacy of past from an European people, sure, using not exactly comfortable cliches but offering a coherent story, defined by precise traits, remind of importance of moral values and a wise definition of courage.

And a wise lesson about democracy reflected by the chain of royal rings . Not the most polite portrait of Rome , very subjective, in fact, saved by the poor monk, not awful fight scenes and few well used symbols.

So, just pleasant.

Good for background, killed the history

[harakazu · 6/10 · 31 March 2022]

For a movie to put on in the background when you are doing something else this movie is fine. I wish they would have kept to the myth of the ring as it is posted about online, and as I was raised hearing from my family that fled Latvia during WW2. For what it is it is good, it just wasn't what I was expecting.

Enjoyable enough

[rich7354 · 6/10 · 18 October 2021]

While not a great movie, it was entertaining and fun to watch. At times, it reminded me of vikings, at other times, it was The Princess Bride.

In many scenes, the acting was over the top.

A wasted oportunity

[muceniecks · 3/10 · 28 December 2018]

If you watch this film looking for genuine Baltic lore, you'll be disappointed or deceived. Same thing to those waiting for a historical-based story. In despite of the beautiful photography, this film is a waste of time and money. Is a blatant imitation of the series "Vikings". Anachronic as such, with bland and weak characters (specially the main villain Max), presenting Stonehenge-like sanctuaries, Ulfberth-like swords and so on completely out of historical context. In the very first scene with a dialogue the pope appears killing a person from nothing. This say a lot about the Viking-style propaganda against medieval Christianity.

Blown expectations!

[kraljtvrtko · 10/10 · 27 September 2018]

So much hate for a movie that was shot in just 47 days with a budget of 2,000,000 EUR. I say good job. I am glad that I watched this movie. You will also be introduced to the pagan traditions and their 'way of thinking' so to speak.

:)

meh

[jimmyjoe583 · 5/10 · 23 January 2019]

Prince Valiant of the Baltic. Nice try but no depth in the acting corps and terrible writing.

You Won't Be Disappointed

[cj_delia · 8/10 · 12 March 2019]

I must admit I didn't come into this one with huge expectations. I didn't know the main actor outside of recognising him from Eddie The Eagle and a small part in Vikings. At first glance he doesn't seem like the type of actor that could lead a film like this but when you watch the movie it makes sense for his character. Actually the more I watched this movie the more I liked it. It's beautifully shot, the score has that epic feel, the battle scenes are all well choreographed. A really good effort all round and well worth a watch.

Eh, Meh

[HalBaker_MA · 4/10 · 21 September 2019]

Even though based on history, so-so on execution. Difficult to suspend disbelief with some of the actions that characters take. Doubt there is historical basis for supposedly veteran sailor taking over ship single-handedly only to jump off and swim in full armor (albeit scale and mail) quite a distance to shore. Would not the historical figure have sailed it? That and other nits that didn't jibe caused my disbelief to come crashing down. Too bad. Beautifully shot.

Horrible

[tahoe327 · 2/10 · 12 January 2020]

How do they get money to make films like this , slow , boring and bad film making

Remind me about where I am from

[lailamasa · 9/10 · 17 November 2018]

Good movie! Movies isn't correct history, but it gives a look on freedom fight of my nation's. Finally it takes 700 years and only 100 years ago we can establish our own country and also after we have so much trouble but now we are free and I hope Namey's and another heroes fight makes a sence to get a freedom.

Not for me.

[murkis1239 · 4/10 · 16 June 2019]

People who give this over 8 are probably Latvians. I don't want to call this one terrible, but it's certainly not good. First of all, the acting is not there, cringe inducing at times. Then you have colliding accents. Guys, Latvian and British accents never go together. It's either a lack of budget or just terrible accent coaches involved in production. Second, the storyline goes nowhere - it's just another of those historic movies with three main aspects - nature shots, battles and a filler love story. The cinematography is beautiful, but it does not help when you sit through something that's as entertaining as watching paint dry. Pagan King is totally fine for Latvia's 100 year commemoration, not a bit enough to step into a bigger market like it was advertised.

Not bad, but not history

[nebula-37029 · 8/10 · 2 April 2022]

Namejs was a Latvian Duke in the 1200s who fought against the Livonian Order. The movie was interesting and had good action, but is only remotely related to historical events. The invaders in the film used a cast of dozens instead of 14,000 crusaders with war machines. The bad guy "Max" should get more roles as a villain.

Thrash

[AnthonyVincentBruno · 1/10 · 31 October 2021]

I bet not many genuine movie fans get beyond ten minutes.

Amateurish and very, very trashy. A waste of time and effort by all concerned.

Trash, trash, trash and trash.

Do your research!

[noromasonrokekuriti · 16 October 2021]

Apparently they didn't have time to Google the 600 different tribes in Papua New Guinea before going ahead with the screenplay. Maybe next time you'd want to keep it all fiction instead of poking fun at other people's cultures and traditions.

Among the worst movies I have ever watched

[john-w-welch-gm · 1/10 · 19 February 2022]

Beautiful cinematography when showing rivers and forests, and even some sea-scenes of dragon-boats. Otherwise, a stupid plot, with a comic over-acting villain. The actor, someone named Bloor, I think, behaves like Alan Rickman if a director had told Rickman to ham up his Sherriff of Nottingham.

The battle scenes are OK and the good guys (and gals) win. They rally to defend their land against a crusading army of about 30 or 40 who never speak except to shout "argh" and "glug" as they are stabbed. We know they are crusaders because they wear the same helmets and each has a white cloak with a cross.

The heroic boy-king faces sneaky tribal leaders ready to pledge loyalty and then to betray him and to betray their homeland. They go over to the villain's side, but, of course, the hero finds a way to defeat them all.

All of it has something to do with a Pope, father of the villain, who kills anyone who fails. Every now and again, another papal son pops up to rattle off some Latin and to beg people to follow the way of peace. At what looks like a climax, the priestly son throws himself between the crusading army and the good villagers, crying "Stop" (more or less). Ah, I thought, now he converts the pagan villagers and Latvians live happily ever after. Nope. The crusaders shoot him with about a dozen arrows, and the conversion sub-plot evaporates.

Nearly everything about this movie is painfully stupid.

Ring of Kings

[xobbit-864-568089 · 10/10 · 9 December 2018]

LOTR/Hobbit meets Outlaw King. If you ever wondered why do the neighbors call this nation "Elves", or are into accurate historical portrayal of pagan/viking/wikkan/balto-slavic Europe you will enjoy it. Low-budget does not spoil it, the only drawback is unnecessary gore level, of a/m Bruce movie, which makes it non-family. PG-13 plague did not reach this land where parents can hand-cover the kids eyes I guess ;) so 9/10.

All the Latvians I know can walk straight into a shot of a Viking movie, but the best acting is from Aiste Dirziute portraying Lauga: she is magic every moment of her "Elven queen" screen time, while Edvin Endre is a likable sword-fighting action hero, evolving into a wise leader. Max is soooo bad, that even James Bloor's great effort is far behind the demonic intentions of this villain. If you are short on budget to get Anthony Hopkins, I'd rather suggest inviting a good theatre actor, than "Ike" from the Texas Chainsaw Massacre prequel ;)

FYI Namejs is a real historical Duke (hi to Gedeminas'-hater), but the plot is based on a book from Tolkien times so I am hoping for a sequel... and you?

Semivikings

[miromoman · 8/10 · 11 December 2020]

This is a simple fable where entropy runs its course without being reverted. Childish, if you wish, but decent nevertheless.

Pagan King Rules

[sherness20 · 8/10 · 21 August 2021]

For a very unknown cast, the film was engaging, entertaining and worth the time to watch. While, box-office was dismal, the film on stream gives it new legs. If you're a fan of the show Vikings. Or if you like mythology, you'll enjoy this film.

**Violence, nudity (brief), language. Not for kids at all.

What a great little film

[jim-telferx · 9/10 · 26 March 2022]

Thoroughly entertaining, don't understand the bad reviews it's a great piece of work. Proper little adventure, go pagans stuff the money grabbing church.

Well done 👍

rate should be higher than 6.1

[kimdarrelmcx · 10/10 · 8 February 2022]

Don't believe the bad reviews because they won't appreciate good movies. Underrated are normally better nowadays. This movie deserves a 8star rating but I will give it 10 since I enjoyed watching it.

No fudging subtitles 😃

[guestlaundry-58719 · 9/10 · 28 October 2021]

Writing is better than expected and I'm not glued to the screen to read the story. I was just about to go back to reading books. 30 streaming networks and nothing to listen to. Except for this. Looks like this Boomer doesn't have to get multi-lingual quite yet. Is it me or is cinema not for the English/American language anymore?